POTATO SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 258, 29 July 1939, Page 12

POTATO SUPPLIES

Prices And Stocks Under Consideration The Government was closely watching the position in regard to the price o£ potatoes, and inquiries were being made both as to stocks and prices, said tlie Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Sullivan, in replying in the House of Representatives yesterday, to a question by Dr. McMillan (Government, Dunedin West). Dr. McMillan asked: Will the Minister make an investigation to determine whether the present price of potatoes is in any way due to middleman’s excessive profits or speculation, and will he inquire if it is possible to obtain a reduction in the price of potatoes? As soon as the survey was completed the information would be considered by the Government, said Mr. Sullivan. The possibility of reducing the price of potatoes, also, would be fully considered as soon as ail the available facts were obtained. STATE ADVANCES Loans On Rural Holdings Replying to a question asked by Mr Kidd (Opposition, Waittiki) in the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, said that the State Advances Corporation was making loans to its mortgagors on rural holdings for necessary improvements, but in view of the existing need for housing preference was given to loans for the erection of dwellings, including houses on eligible rural properties not at present under mortgage to the corporation where the mortgagor could give a first-mortgage charge to the corporation for the moneys to be advanced. NAPIER-TAIHAPE ROAD Not To Be Classified As State Highway "It is not proposed to classify the N'apier-Tailiape road as a State highway, but tlie question of Government assistance toward its reconstruction is under consideration." said the Minister of Public Works, Mr. Semple, when replying In the House of Representatives yesterday to a question by Mr. J nil (Opposition, Waipawa). Mr. .lull suggested that in view of tlie importance of road access from Hawke’s Ray province to and from the King Country, and its national advantage. the Minister should favourably consider making tlie road a State highway. OFFICIAL GUESTS Centennial Celebrations “The matter of official guests for the Centennial celebrations is at present under consideration by the Govern meat. It is not correct that 500 people are being officially brought to the Dominion by tlie Government," said the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr. Parry, replying to a question in tlie House of Representatives yesterday byMr. Hodgens (Government, Palmerston North).